It wasn’t a good day in the minors, as Toronto’s affiliates went 0-for-4 with a rainout. Buffalo was swept in a doubleheader after a comeback with two outs in the bottom of the last inning in the first game. Meanwhile, neither the Fisher Cats nor the Lugnuts could muster much at the plate.

A comeback by the Bisons forced extra innings, but Buffalo wasn’t able to win the game as the RailRiders scored a run off Austin Bibens-Dirkx in his first appearance at Triple-A in 2014. In the bottom of the seventh, Kevin Nolan doubled with one out in the ninth and advanced to third on a wild pitch with two out. Down to their last out, the Bisons managed to tie the game when Chris Getz singled.

Ricky Romero started for Buffalo and limited Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to two hits over 6 innings with a pair of strikeouts. However, Romero displayed his usual trouble with his command, walking four and only throwing 50 of his 91 pitches for strikes. Ryan Tepera bridged the gap between Romero and Bibens-Dirkx with two scoreless frames.

The RailRiders limited the Bisons to four hits over the 9 frames. Getz and Steve Tolleson each had singles and the other two hits came from Nolan, who making his Triple-A debut. Nolan was 2-for-3 with a double and a walk. Tolleson and Dan Johnson each had a pair of walks.

Kyle Drabek didn’t walk a batter, but he surrendered 10 hits and five runs over 4 innings in the second game of a doubleheader. He was victimized by the long ball, allowing three homeruns. Drabek struck out four before turning the ball over to Rob Rasmussen and John Stilson, each of whom allowed a run in relief.

Kevin Pillar and Dan Johnson each reached base twice. Pillar singled and doubled and was driven in on the latter occasion by Johnson. Jared Goedert hit a solo homer, which was his first of the year.

Brad Glenn and Andy Burns hit back-to-back doubles in the top of the 9th inning with two out for New Hampshire’s only run, as Gabe Jacobo wasn’t able to extend the rally and struck out. Burns had a 2-for-4 game to raise his average to .182. Kenny Wilson and Mike Crouse were each held hitless with three strikeouts.

Scott Copeland started and was pulled after 1.2 innings and 41 pitches. He allowed three runs, although only one was earned. After John Anderson got out of the inning, Casey Lawrence contributed 5.1 valuable innings of one-run relief to save the bullpen from being taxed too heavily in the loss.

Dunedin @ Brevard County (Suspended)

After the top of the first, this game was suspended due to rain. It is scheduled to be completed tomorrow.

The Lugnuts dropped a game to Beloit and fell to 3-10 on the year. Santiago Nessy and Dawel Lugo led the offence. Nessy went 2-for-3 with a double and a walk and Lugo was 2-for-4. Nessy added an RBI and a run scored. Mitch Nay also reached base twice with a hit and a walk. Matt Dean and Carlos Ramirez each went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. Dickie Thon was held hitless and made an error, but also cut down runners at third and home in the game.

Jeremy Gabryszwski pitched 6 innings and allowed eight hits, including two homers. He allowed six runs, four earned, and struck out one.

Romero still walked 4 and K's just 2 in his 6 innings which is not a good thing. Just 1 line drive though, which is good. 2-1 GB/FB ratio.

He needs to get that wildness under control. Flip it so it is 2 walks and 4 K's in 6 IP and he would look a lot more like someone who has turned a corner. The overall batting line after 2 starts is 188/366/313 which screams wildness. Hopefully he can improve though as it'd be nice to see him make a comeback but if he is called up pre-September he better be doing amazing.

Pro sports is cruel business. You can be in your early-mid 20s, on top of the world like a Ricky Romero or Dontrelle Willis, and then the floor drops out without warning. I can't imagine the mental toll on trying to stay positive at such a young age, when all indications are that you are probably done, a good decade in advance of your original blueprint.

I imagine denial can carry you part of the way. Or tenacity. Or pride. Or it could be that I am so different from a pro athlete that I can't fathom the way they think, or how they need to think to persevere. The aging curve for those of us out in the real world is so different.